Saturday, June 23, 2012

Shut UP!!!

Smiley from millan.netSmiley from millan.netSmiley from millan.net
Are you SERIOUS???? Hoooooolllyyy sa-MOKES!!! I am so over-the-top-beyond-compare EXCITED at the moment!! I entered Stampin' Up's Artisan Award Contest this year ... again ... which is the THIRD time I have actually done so. This year it is a bit different than past years as well. In the past, they have announced the 10 Artisan winners before Convention. Then, while at Convention, the "honorable mention" people are announced. Kinda lackluster, actually, as the names are flashed across the big screen during a general session. It's very exciting, but it seems kind of anti-climactic.

This year, however, they decided to pick 20 finalists before Convention. Each finalist will be given a $250 shopping spree with Stampin' Up (COOLCOOLCOOL!). At Convention, the 10 winners will be announced. Each of the winners will receive a $500 SU shopping spree AND $500 cash AND they will be on Stampin' Up's Design Team for the next year, receiving new product each month with which to create lovely goodness and post it on their blogs or DBWS's (Demonstrator Business Websites). GUESSWHATGUESSWHAT??? I was PICKED!!! HUZZAH-HOORAH-HOORAY!!

This is kinda how it went down ... (names have been omitted to protect the innocent) was Skyping and pretending to clean my craft room last Thursday evening with friend #1 ... friend #2 (who also entered the contest) texted me and asked me if I had heard anything yet, to which I replied, "Nope. You?" To which SHE replied, "YES!! They called me about 10 minutes ago!!" OHMYGOSHFREAKINGOUTTHEDOOR!! I immediately called friend #3 on the phone (who had ALSO entered the contest). We were both having a spazzing-out type of conversation, "She got called??? Oh how cool!! Why haven't they called US??" In the middle of the conversation my OTHER line starting ringing. I said, "MYOTHERLINEISRINGING...ANDIDON'TRECOGNIZETHENUMBER!! Gotta go ... call ya right back!" Friend #1, still hanging on via Skype, is laughing by this time ... Caller on the phone says, "Hi, is this Wendy?" "Yes, this is she." "Is this the SAME Wendy Weixler who created -------- (omitting until the BIG REVEAL at Convention)?" To which I replied the first two intelligent words that popped into my head ... "Shut UP!!" Seriously ... that is EXACTLY what I said. I jumped out of my chair (in my basement craft studio) and flew up the stairs ... the whole time saying something intelligent like, "This is making me CRY!" (which it was!) Cute gal from Stampin' Up says, "Don't CRY! You're making ME cry!!" I honestly don't remember pretty much ANYthing she said after that ... honestly and truly ... my brain turned to oatmeal. As soon as I hung up, I ... with all the maturity and composure someone of my age SHOULD have ... started JUMPING UP AND DOWN and SCREAMING!!! My daughter and her friend, sitting downstairs playing video games, looked at me as if I had totally LOST my marbles (which I had!!)! Friend #1 is now CRACKING UP via Skype .... take a deep breath ...

I am going to admit that friend #3 is my deardeardear BFF, JanTink!! She is sooo amazingly awesome. The only thing that takes the shine out of this INCREDIBLE experience is that she didn't get a call ... a fact that I am STILL befuddled about, as she has been an "honorable mention" both of the other times she has entered. She is sooo gifted and talented ... and wonderful and smart ... she inspires me and helps me when my brain cramps up (which is way more often than I care to admit)!! In all the scenarios I imagined for the outcomes for this contest (BOTH of us winning/being finalists, HER winning/being a finalist), I NEVER thought she wouldn't be here on the list. SOOO happy she is gonna be staying with me during Convention, as I know she is going to be the most gracious and enthusiastic of supporters for me ... which is why she is my BFF. (Just know that I will have LOTS of chocolate waiting for you when you arrive, my dear friend!!)

On to the cards posted for today ... had my Stamp Club this morning. Always love having stamp-y friends over. We made the first card with, what else??? More butterflies!!! The little butterfly in the card posted waaayyyy back at the top of this post at the beginning of my loooonnnggg saga is heat embossed in Melon Mambo (both layers), as is the lattice-y looking image in the strip behind the hole.

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Summer Silhouettes, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Gumball Green, Melon Mambo
Ink: Gumball Green, Basic Black
Accessories: Elegant Butterfly Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Fancy Fan Textured Impression Folder, Perfect Pennant Bigz Die, Rhinestone Basics, Melon Mambo Embossing Powder




My girls have been wanting to make this Origami Diamond Fold card for a while ... they had seen the one I had out from when I did the tutorial here on my blog (click HERE to see it). So, this is what I did. They wanted to use some Crystal Effects, which is on the little eggies in the nest.













Here is a peek under the first flap ...











And inside ... cute, eh?

Stamps: Take Care
Paper: Midnight Muse, Raspeberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Patio Party DSP
Ink: Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Early Espresso
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Crystal Effects, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

It's gonna take me a while to come down off the ceiling (just ask my family ... they will tell ya it's TRUE!). I look at the list of finalists and am astounded to be among them. Many of these talented women have been idols of mine forEVER! Such an honor ... now I hafta wait about 3 1/2 weeks to see how this all plays out. Not gonna lie and say I don't WANNA win, but I consider having made it THIS far a HUGE thing. Sooo thrilled!!
Photobucket

26 comments:

Cheryl said...

Love the card and so happy for you. YAY!

Laura Haffke said...

Wendy,
I've been following your blog for some time and I am NOT surprised that you entered and are one of the top 20!! I am surprised that Jan is NOT this year. Congrats! I think I heard you screaming & fireworks in your honor!
Woo Hoo!
Laura

Wanda Cullen said...

LOL...I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your reaction and CONGRATS on being in the final 20...that is such a HUGE honor! I'll be waiting and watching to hear what the final verdict will be! :-)

Mitzi Luttrull said...

Congratulations! You sure deserve this recognition. Jan does, too, I agree. You both are creative geniuses!

Create with Lisa said...

Congrats!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing the story. I loved it.
Have fun!
Lisa Fuller

Nancy said...

Wendy,
I'm a faithful follower of your blog, not only to check out your marvlous creations (you totally deserve this honor!) but to read your posts. I love your sense of humor and how down to earth you are. Your blog is a delight. Best of luck!!! Nancy

Stampin' Mom of Four said...

Congrats!!! Your story had me cracking up! See you at Convention : )

Newbie said...

Congrats, Wendy!!!!! Sooooooo happy for you!!!! THAT IS QUITE AN HONOE!!!! Love your card and your work! Can definitely WHY they picked you!!! Again, CONGRATS!!

Anonymous said...

Wendy, what fantastic news! You certainly deserve the honor bestowed upon you! Hugs! Suzie Cullen

Pinky Roth said...

Wendy, I am so excited for you! You totally deserve it...congrats!!!

vdoyle8 said...

You totally deserve this!! I am so excited for you! I love your work and follow your blog religiously. My fingers are crossed for you!!!! :-)

Judy McMullen said...

CONGRATULATIONS, WENDY! You are so deserving of this honor. Hope you're one of the ten winners. SU would be crazy not to pick you to be on their design team. Love everything you do...You are an inspiration!!! HUGS!!!

Heidi Gonzales said...

LOL and crying at the sametime for you! I am not surprised, as I love your work and creativity Wendy! I will be waiting to hear the end result-can't wait! Good Luck!!

Deb30906 said...

I've been following your blog for a while. I follow so many that it's hard to leave comments. This deserves one. Congrats on your achievement. You are very talented and creative. Keep it up.

Jan Castle said...

Congrats Wendy...can't wait to see your winning entry!!! You definitely are an inspiration!
Paper Hugs,
Jan

June K said...

Congrats, Wendy.

Dorothy T said...

Congrats, Wendy. Your creations are always so beautiful.

Betty Neville said...

Congrats Wendy!! Very exciting!

Eli said...

I love reading your story. You just crack me up and I'm so thrilled for you. Hugs from Florida...

Amy Rogers said...

Wendy,
I'm a fellow Artisan Design Contest Finalist and would like see if the entire group of us can gather some time during convention. Would you mind emailing your email address to me so I can add you to the list?
Thanks!
Amy Rogers

Anonymous said...

Congrads Wendy,know you will WOW everyone no matter who the last winners are. Just tried your Diamond Fold card, wondered about putting a gift card in the inside Diamond; 'It works', thanks for sharing your idea.
SIU, Seletta

Carol Carriveau said...

Fabulous cards, Wendy! My fav is the first one - love clean and simple, but that new Fan EF really dresses things up - on my order for today! Love fancy folds, thank you for showing this sweet card! Sorry you didn't make the Artisan group, but they are nuts! Several people who are fabulous creaters as are you didn't make the cut, makes us wonder what the heck they are looking for! Keep trying, please!

Carol Carriveau said...

OMG...I just reread everything and realized that you are one of the 20 finalists....SO SORRY! I will be attending convention for the first time so am extra anxious to be there to know who makes the cut...sure have you in my heart....best of luck!

Judith said...

So excited for you. Yippee. You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Marilyn (stampwithMJ) said...

Congrats, Wendy! I always look forward to seeing your creations.

Nancy Jensen said...

What fun cards and what a fun post. congratulations on your award! You totally deserve it!